Canada Targets Assad Supporters as Violence Continues

“The Assad regime’s bloody assault on the people of Syria continues unabated. To date, more than 20,000 have been killed, and more than 180,000 have fled to neighbouring countries. The entire region is becoming increasingly unstable.

“Canada is responding today with additional measures to further isolate and increase pressure on the regime and to erode its capacity for repression.

“The Canadian government has added a further 47 individuals and three entities to the list of individuals and entities subject to a prohibition on dealings under existing Canadian sanctions.

“Our expanded sanctions target the regime and its supporters, not the Syrian people.

“We continue to urge the UN Security Council to adopt binding sanctions against Syria to send a clear signal to the Assad regime. Canada calls on all members of the UN Security Council to join in condemning the brutal repression of the Assad regime, including those who have previously blocked action and allowed the regime to soldier on.”

For more information on Canada’s sanctions against Syria, please see Syria.

Context

On May 24, 2011, Canada announced targeted sanctions against the Syrian regime in response to the ongoing violent crackdown by Syrian military and security forces against Syrians peacefully protesting for democracy and human rights. These measures, which remain in place, were a blend of administrative measures and actions taken under the authority of the Special Economic Measures Act and were consistent with initiatives taken by like-minded partners, including the United States and the European Union. They included:

Travel restrictions: Canada ensured that persons associated with the Syrian government who are believed to be inadmissible to Canada are prevented from travelling to Canada.

Asset freeze: Canada imposed an asset freeze against 25 people associated with the current Syrian regime and seven entities involved in security and military operations against the Syrian people. This included a prohibition on dealing in the property of listed individuals and entities, including the provision of financial services and making property available to individuals and entities.

A ban on specific exports and imports: Canada placed a ban under the Export and Import Permits Act on the export from Canada to Syria of goods and technologies that are subject to export controls. These items include arms, munitions, and military, nuclear and strategic items that are intended for use by the Syrian armed forces, police or other governmental agencies.

A suspension of all bilateral cooperation agreements and initiatives with Syria.

On December 23, 2011, Canada further expanded its sanctions against the Syrian regime. The measures prohibit all imports from Syria, with the exception of food; all new investment in Syria; and the export to Syria of equipment, including software, for the monitoring of telephone and Internet communications. Canada also imposed an asset freeze and prohibited economic dealings with 33 additional individuals and 10 additional entities associated with the Assad regime.

On March 5, 2012, Canada further expanded its sanctions by adding the names of seven individuals—all senior members of the Assad regime—and one entity, the Central Bank of Syria, to the list of those subject to a dealings prohibition and asset freeze. The amendments also introduced a complete ban on the provision or acquisition of financial or other related services to, from, or for the benefit of, or on the direction or order of Syria or any person in Syria.

On May 18, 2012, Canada imposed further sanctions against Syria by prohibiting the export of luxury goods to Syria. Three individuals and three entities were also added to the list of designated persons and thus subjected to an assets freeze and a prohibition on economic dealings. With these new measures, the total number of designations rose to 129 individuals and 44 entities.

On July 6, 2012, Canada imposed further sanctions against Syria by prohibiting the export of goods and technology that could be used to further repress the people of Syria, including goods that could be used to produce chemical and biological weapons, beyond those already controlled by Canada. Canada also added the Syria International Islamic Bank and the Syrian National Security Bureau to the list of individuals and entities subject to a prohibition on dealings under existing Canadian sanctions.